Sat, 01/24/2009 - 00:00

Stormy West takes third stakes of meet

Stormy West made it three in a row in Fair Grounds stakes, winning the $60,000 Marie Krantz Memorial Handicap by a length over Shytoe Lafeet.

Stormy West, ridden by Patrick Valenzuela, rated behind the fast fractions set by pacesetters Symphony of Psalm and Royal Madame. She made her now routine move at the top of the stretch, then held off Shytoe Lafeet, who finished second for the second race in a row.

"She's very consistent, she gives a good kick every time," said Valenzuela. "I waited until the top of the stretch, and then I turned her loose."

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 00:00

Success Success best by neck

Returning to his home state after shipping to Fair Grounds for the winter, Success Success was up in the final strides to defeat a game Golden Country for a neck victory in the $50,000 Forego Stakes at Turfway Park.

With Rodney Prescott aboard, Success Success ($11.80) raced closer to the pace than normal, stalking Mitigation and Golden Country before edging closer with a quarter-mile to run. Success Success surged past Golden Country in the final 40 yards, finishing 6o1/2 furlongs in 1:19.30 over Polytrack

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 00:00

All Smiles surprises at 19-1

All Smiles ($41.20), the longest shot in a field of seven fillies and mares, outfought odds-on favorite Fascinatin' Rhythm to win the $50,000 Nellie Morse Stakes at Laurel Park.

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 00:00

Hello Again stays perfect

Hello Again remained undefeated in three career starts when she came rolling down the middle of the track for a half-length win over She's Extreme in the $50,000 Dixie Belle Stakes at Oaklawn Park. It was another neck back in third to 9-5 favorite Shining Moment.

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 00:00

True Quality withstands pressure

Staking his claim as the fastest gun in the East, True Quality turned back multiple challenges and drew clear to post the first stakes victory of his career in Saturday's $69,330 Paumonok Stakes at Aqueduct.

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 00:00

Soldier's Dancer comes through

ARCADIA, Calif. - On his way to becoming a millionaire, Soldier's Dancer has raced on all types of turf courses. His experience on rain-soaked surfaces was vital to his win in Saturday's $500,000 Sunshine Millions Turf at Santa Anita.

Racing on a course rated good and soaked by several hours of light rain, Soldier's Dancer ($4.80) rallied from last in a field of 13 to win the richest race of his career.

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 00:00

Wild Promises, Gilchrist simply too good

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Wild Promises followed the most important victory of her career last month in the Grade 3 My Charmer Handicap with the richest one, cruising to a popular 1 3/4-length victory over Elusive Lady in Saturday's $500,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park.

The Filly and Mare Turf was one of four Sunshine Millions stakes to be run at Gulfstream on Saturday, with the four others in the eight-race series for Florida-breds and California-breds run at Santa Anita.

Sat, 01/24/2009 - 00:00

Carroll, Risen Star lose a good one

NEW ORLEANS - The Grade 3 Risen Star here on Feb. 7 lost a little of its luster with the sale of Lecomte Stakes runner-up Patena to IEAH Stables this week. Patena will be leaving Josie Carroll's barn at the Fair Grounds for Rick Dutrow's barn at Gulfstream, where he will be pointed toward races in Florida.

Patena closed strongly behind Friesan Fire Jan. 10 in the one-mile Lecomte, and the extra sixteenth of a mile of the Risen Star would likely have benefitted him. With Patena out, Friesan Fire will likely be an overwhelming favorite in the Risen Star.

Fri, 01/23/2009 - 00:00

Golden Gate adds two $50K stakes

Golden Gate Fields is adding two $50,000 overnight stakes to the schedule at the current meeting.

The McCann's Mojave, at 1 1/16-miles for 4-year-olds and up, will be run on Feb. 14 on the El Camino Real Derby undercard. The King Glorious, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds, will be run Feb. 28.

Fri, 01/23/2009 - 00:00

On the Acorn retired

ARCADIA, Calif. - On the Acorn, who rose from a $40,000 claimer to become a multiple graded stakes winner, has been retired because of a recent injury, according to Jack Disney, a member of the partnership that owns the 8-year-old gelding.

On the Acorn was being prepared for a return to racing with trainer Mike Mitchell at Hollywood Park when he was diagnosed with a ligament tear, Disney said in an e-mail.